next after Upper Stableloads? Jittery ride on rough pavement

[LosAngeles]

next after Upper Stableloads? Jittery ride on rough pavement.

Hi all - we have a 2020 F350 SRW gasser crew cab, 8’ bed…. and a 2020 Hallmark 9.5’.

We and fully loaded the whole rig weights 11,300 lbs

On smooth pavement the ride is very, very good. We have the Upper Stableloads
and the highest Ford leaf springs are very slightly engaged always.
(and we do NOT want to get Lower Stableloads under any circumstance)

However on mediocre paved roads the ride is pretty “jittery” for lack of a better word.

If I was to do something to try to smooth out the jitters when on rough paving (hopefully without making the very good ride on smooth pavement any worse!) … what would the next step be?

Thanks.

[TxGearhead]

Get different shocks and disengage the StabilLoads. If the truck weighs about 8,000# and the camper 3,000# wet, you should be in the sweet spot.
With the SL's I would guess you're over sprung and under shocked.
Apologize for offending you.

[LosAngeles]

TxGearhead wrote:
Hallmark Cuchara 9.5 ft is 1893# dry weight. There's almost nothing over the truck cab but the frame, some canvas, and the mattress.
I'm seriously missing something in this conversation.

I don’t feel like justifying my quest for better handling

But we have a TON of solar on the front of the roof

Plus a bunch of stuff in the under bed storage

So yes, you are missing some details.

But as I said - I don’t want to justify my desire for a less jittery ride when on rough pavement. You don’t need all the details on my rig.

I just want to learn of possible fixes.

And total wet weight of rig is 11,300 lbs.

I recall it was fairly closely split between front and rear axle. And it rides dead level.

[TxGearhead]

Hallmark Cuchara 9.5 ft is 1893# dry weight. There's almost nothing over the truck cab but the frame, some canvas, and the mattress.
I'm seriously missing something in this conversation.

[jimh406]

Air pressure is even easier and cheaper. I read the article, but basically, he said it felt better which is about the same as every other person. But, maybe you feel like you two have the same symptoms.

[LosAngeles]

Bedlam wrote:
From what I have researched, Ford Has highest rated front springs available but also the most variations in spring rates. I am not convinced you need additional spring capacity on the front since most campers add little weight to the front of the truck and most unload the front axle a little.

I feel you get the most out the front end by changing to an adjustable damped shock and adding a larger stabilizer bar. What you can do for free or very little cost is weigh your truck axles at a truck stop and adjust your tire pressure based on the load inflation tables for your size tire.

Although there is plenty of good advice, it does come down how your setup feels for you and none our advice should be taken as absolutes. It took me about five adjustments to make my previous truck comfortable and safe while my current truck only needed one.

Good thoughts... thanks! 🙂

.... but...

my front is *not* unloaded a little, and I have to find the scale weight paper printout I did... but the (wet) camper IS adding quite a bit of weight to the front axle. Cant remember the exact #'s but it was remarkably even, as far as I can recall.

A better shock would help, but a $200 SumoSprings for the front is easy,

and.... did you read the Mellow Mike article? Just curious. Link is above.

[Bedlam]

From what I have researched, Ford Has highest rated front springs available but also the most variations in spring rates. I am not convinced you need additional spring capacity on the front since most campers add little weight to the front of the truck and most unload the front axle a little. I feel you get the most out the front end by changing to an adjustable damped shock and adding a larger stabilizer bar. What you can do for free or very little cost is weigh your truck axles at a truck stop and adjust your tire pressure based on the load inflation tables for your size tire.

Although there is plenty of good advice, it does come down how your setup feels for you and none our advice should be taken as absolutes. It took me about five adjustments to make my previous truck comfortable and safe while my current truck only needed one.

[LosAngeles]

Update: the author of this review is Mellow Mike and he seems to really know Truck Campers.

He was skeptical about front SumoSprings but read the review

And how our rig feels I think it is worth the $200 to buy them on the front. . Really easy no drill install

https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/sumospring-installation-report-and-review/

[LosAngeles]

Update: the author of this review is Mellow Mike and he seems to really know Truck Campers.

He was skeptical about front SumoSprings but read the review

And how our rig feels I think it is worth the $200 to buy them on the front. . Really easy no drill install

https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/sumospring-installation-report-and-review/

[noteven]

My F-350 is a few 100 lbs below GVWR with the camper etc loaded.

When the ride becomes “jittery” it is usually due to operating a won ton twuck on what we in Alberta call “a shitty road” .

[TxGearhead]

We're talking a Hallmark pop-up? I can't imagine a pop up weighing enough for a F350 to even know it was loaded.
My brother put a new Northstar pop up on new 2020 F350 SRW and it rode like a Cadillac with no mods.

[Bedlam]

If you look at your upper overload spring, it is progressive. One side of the spring will contact the bumper pad before the other. As a test, remove the StableLoads on the side where the spring touches them first and put your stock pads back in place. This will reduce the preload on the upper spring and make the ride more compliant. The ride will be softer, but you need to make sure the truck still sits level with only half of the preload applied.

[jimh406]

Two suggestions one is free one is not. Assuming you are running 65 front and 80 rear, try 70 then 75 in the front. The nonfree fix I suggest is a shock change.

[LosAngeles]

TxGearhead wrote:
How much does the Hallmark weigh?
I'm thinking you shouldn't need to do anything to a stock F350.
Dis-engage the Stableloads and see how it rides. You may be bouncing off and on the springs. Get the springs loaded and let them do their job.

I'm confident I'm not bouncing on and off the rear springs.

Total weight, loaded, wet, is 11,300. Have not done the math to calculate the Hallmark wet and dry.

Someone very knowledgeable suggested and recommended Sumo Springs.. I am thinking that SumoSprings on the *front* would help smooth out pavement bumps. Makes sense to me.

thanks

[LosAngeles]

billtex wrote:
Hmmm.I usually relate jittery to unladen ride on rough pavement. As mentioned, there are certain road surfaces that just suck.

Not sure why you are opposed to lower SL’s. I am running upper and lower SL’s on the new truck and am VERY pleased. Nice firm ride when loaded and 100% stock ride unladen. Couldn’t be happier.

Have you been to the scales? Maybe you need to get some weight forward?
Where’s your water tank? Try a full tank. Sometimes that helps. A front hitch with some junk on it can help also.

Safe travels, bill

Yes been to scales... IIRC weight is very well distributed.

Water tank is not huge.... makes no difference how ful or empty it is.

Someone very knowledgeable suggested and recommended Sumo Springs.. I am thinking that SumoSprings on the *front* would help smooth out pavement bumps. Makes sense to me.

thanks. 🙂

[LosAngeles]

ticki2 wrote:
Check your door sticker . It may be that your truck is only at its rated GVWR . If so you shouldn't even need the stableloads . Also check the tire pressure for the load they are carrying . Over inflated tires can do that . That being said there are roads that are miserable no matter what you do . The old concrete paved roads come to mind .

Tires are at the pressure Ford recommended.

Truck is well loaded, level, even.

thanks